Proposal to Prevent Alcohol Dependence Using Purpose in Life/<i>Ikigai</i> to Mimic the Chemical Effects of <i>β</i>-Endorphin

Abstract

Purpose in life (PIL)/ikigai is a social attitude based on the concept that, "every person has a need to establish meaning in life". Comfort and pleasure are related to the secretion of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and β-endorphin. Drinking alcohol can also trigger emotions and cause the secretion of β-endorphin. Persons, who have an inner sense of satisfaction, do not need or want to induce comfort and pleasure by using alcohol or morphine. The primary chemical structures of β-endorphin and morphine are similar. Therefore, it is possible that helping people to achieve PIL/ikigai could strengthen psychological and/or physical defenses against alcohol dependence.

Decreasing Anxiety in Stutterers through the Association between “Purpose in Life/Ikigai” and Emotions

“…Therefore, we hypothesize that PIL/ikigai may reduce anxiety in stutterers with the need for SD and thus lead to a reduction in stuttering symptoms. The present study will discuss the significance of PIL/ikigai based on previous psychological and physiological evidence including motivation, brain function, and neurotransmitters ( Craik & Grady, 2002 ; Frankl, 1972 ; Freeman & Silver, 1989 ; Ishida, 2012a : Ishida, 2012b ; Ishida & Okada, 2011 ; Kamiya, 2004 ; Smith et al, 2003 ; Solomon et al, 2011 ).…”

“…Therefore, PIL/ikigai may be linked to prefrontal lobe functioning ( Ishida, 2012a ). PIL/ikigai integrates psychologically stressful events from the past, present, and potential future and enables individuals to associate these experiences with less anxiety and confusion, even during stressful situations ( Ishida, 2012b ; Ishida & Okada, 2011 ). For example, persons who have achieved PIL/ikigai feel less anxious during conversations with others ( Ishida, 2008b ).…”

How is the problematic smartphone use affected by social support? A research model supported by the mediation of Ikigai

“…High-level ikigai helps to overcome mental and behavioral problems (Crumbaugh, 1968 ; Frankl, 1985 ; Garfield, 1973 ; Ghaderi Rammazi et al, 2018 ; Harlow et al, 1986 ; Steger et al, 2006 ; Steger & Kashdan, 2009 ; Testoni et al, 2018 ). Moreover, individuals with low ikigai are more vulnerable and prone to negative behaviors such as addiction (Ishida, 2012a ). Previous similar research has separately highlighted the associations between social support, ikigai, and problematic smartphone use.…”

Purpose in life (ikigai) may improve obesity caused by stress: a proposal based on traits of neurotransmitters related to emotions

“…More specifically, persons with firm PIL/ikigai can better decrease anxiety, mental and somatic subjective symptoms and increase pleasure and comfort even in stressful situations and society compared with persons with weak PIL/ikigai [25]. Furthermore, persons with PIL/ikigai have distinct personality traits: having lower social desirability, which is an attitude based on the need for approval and an attempt to adapt excessively to expectation of their society; attaining their purpose with enthusiasm and patience and without impulse; respecting the personality of other persons; and having an more independent spirit [3,21,26,27]. These personality traits show that they can satisfy their mind with pleasure and comfort based on intrinsic aspects of controlled secretion of neurotransmitters.…”

“…purpose in life (PIL)/ikigai, is a natural and mentally healthy way to cope with stress in a stressful society [e.g., 3]. Additionally, PIL/ikigai may improve alcohol dependence often caused by stress, including anxiety [21]. This process causes well-balanced secretion of neurotransmitters relating to emotions [e.g., 3].…”